I’m not sure what you’re asking me to consider. In general, dowries and equivale

I’m not sure what you’re asking me to consider. In general, dowries and equivalents exist for (a) contributing to the establishment of a household (b) ensuring the financial security of the daughter in the case the marriage failed for some reason. In the ancient world a woman would return to her father (parents). In the bronze age, she would also retain her children under a certain age (usually twelve or so), and the father the older children (esp boys). I don’t see any religious influence other than codification of this behavior since it’s largely universal and nearly a necessity. Also, say, you have a daughter that could marry a better man if she brought with her some assets (because people thought of these things in the past).

Reply addressees: @patriciamdavis @thaeus01